title: Efficacy of aloe vera gel in the treatment of vulval lichen planus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of aloe vera gel and placebo in the topical management of vulval lichen planus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Dermatology, Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad, from January 2007 to January 2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four female patients were randomized into two groups to receive aloe vera gel or placebo for local application for 8 weeks. Clinical data and treatment response was graded according to Thongprasom criteria. Z-test was used for comparing response between the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-four consecutive patients participated in the study. We found erosive and ulcerative lesions in 83% and 17%, respectively. The most common site of vulval lichen planus was the labia minora. Fourteen (82%) out of 17 patients treated with aloe vera had a good response i.e. clinically improved by at least 50% after 8 weeks of treatment, while one (5%) of 17 placebo-treated patients had a similar response (p < 0.001). Furthermore, one patient (5%) treated with aloe vera had a complete clinical remission. No side-effects were found in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aloe vera gel was a safe and effective treatment for patients with vulval lichen planus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad, Sindh. uzmarajar@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Uzma D M
authors.initials: UD
authors.lastname: Rajar
authors.forename: Rehana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Majeed
authors.forename: Naheed
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Parveen
authors.forename: Imran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sheikh
authors.forename: Champa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sushel
mesh_terms: D000504:Aloe; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology